Materials in harnessing solar power

Harnessing renewable solar energy through different technologies is greatly dependent on the advancement of solar grade materials’ science and engineering. In this article, the prominent solar energy technologies, namely solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power and other relevant technologies, and aspects related to various solar grade materials, influence of nanomaterials on enhancement of solar energy harvest, technology–market relations, development of hybrid systems etc., are discussed. The inspiration to write this article is not only to review the existing technologies to harvest solar energy but also to highlight the pertinent and possible solutions thereof, especially from materials perspective.     

Cleaner energy production with integrated gasification combined cycle systems and use of metal oxide sorbents for H2S cleanup from coal gas

 World primary energy demand increases with increases in population and economic development. Within the last 25 years, total energy consumption has almost doubled. In order to meet this demand, research into new sources of energy as well as improving the efficiency of energy production technologies is being carried out. In both cases, the production of clean energy is very important because of environmental concerns and regulations. Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology seems to be one of the most promising technologies for production of energy by using fossil fuels, especially coal. Hot gas desulfurization is a crucial issue in the development of the IGCC system. This paper reviews the importance of clean energy production, the IGCC technology and focuses on the development of several metal oxide-based sorbents used for desulfurization of the hot coal gas in the IGCC system.     

A Linear Programming Model with Shortage Costs for Energy Planning and Allocation

Since the energy shortage is only a recent phenomenon, most of the quantitative models for energy planning have assumed that the demands can always be met by increasing imports. In this paper, the concept of an energy shortage cost is introduced, and a quantitative energy model with shortages is developed to study the interfuel competition, and optimal allocation policies during an energy shortage. The solution is approached through linear programming methods. In addition to the societal shortage cost for energy, other special features of our model include consideration of all forms of energy resources and new technologies of energy production. The model is illustrated through a number of case studies on an economic region using realistic energy data. Through these applications the model is shown to be a useful tool to assess the impact of future energy shortages, higher fuel prices, introduction of newer technologies, and various allocation policies.     

Emerging X-ray imaging technologies for energy materials

With the growing need for sustainable energy technologies, advanced characterization methods become more and more critical for optimizing energy materials and understanding their operation mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the synchrotron-based X-ray imaging technologies and the associated applications in gaining fundamental insights into the physical/chemical properties and reaction mechanisms of energy materials. We will discuss a few major X-ray imaging technologies, including X-ray projection imaging, transmission X-ray microscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, tender and soft X-ray imaging, and coherent diffraction imaging. Researchers can choose from various X-ray imaging techniques with different working principles based on research goals and sample specifications. With the X-ray imaging techniques, we can obtain the morphology, phase, lattice and strain information of energy materials in both 2D and 3D in an intuitive way. In addition, with the high-penetration X-rays and the high-brilliance synchrotron sources, operando/in-situ experiments can be designed to track the qualitative and quantitative changes of the samples during operation. We expect this review can broaden readers’ view on X-ray imaging techniques and inspire new ideas and possibilities in energy materials research.     

Modelling and analysis of a business model to offer energy-saving technologies as a service

In this study, we present a stochastic model to analyse a business plan that is based on offering energy-saving technologies as a service. In this arrangement, the total differential cost of replacing an existing technology with a more efficient one is financed from the future energy savings that are shared between a service provider that installs the more efficient technology and its customer. The model we present captures improvements in energy efficiencies and costs of technologies with time, variation in energy consumption, uncertainty in energy prices and useful life of a technology, and revenue from carbon offsets. By using an analytical model, we analyse the feasibility of this business model using expected cost and also value-at-risk criteria. We show that when the service provider selects the contract parameters in a right way, the business plan brings financial benefits. The customer also benefits financially from reduction in energy usage and replacement costs, and also from additional revenue obtained through selling carbon offsets. Furthermore, since this business plan is based on increasing energy efficiency, the proposed approach decreases energy consumption, and therefore carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, using an analytical model, we show that offering energy-saving technologies as a service is a win–win–win situation for the service provider, its customer and for the environment.     

Salinity Gradient Energy: Current State and New Trends

In this article we give an overview of the state of the art of salinity gradient technologies. We first introduce the concept of salinity gradient energy, before describing the current state of development of the most advanced of these technologies. We conclude with the new trends in the young field of salinity gradient technologies.     

Innovation and market regulation: evidence from the European electricity industry

This paper studies the effects of changes in the level of product market regulation on the industry-level innovation intensity in the EU electricity sector during years 1990–2009. In order to test the impact of deregulatory policies on the propensity to innovate in energy technologies, we match data on R&D budgets and European Patent Office patent applications from International Energy Agency and Eurostat Databases with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indexes of product market regulation. The analysis addresses innovations in the traditional electricity-related technologies, but keeping aside renewable energy technologies. Findings show an increase in patenting activities following market deregulation, measured along three factors: entry barriers, public ownership and vertical integration. In particular, econometric results suggest that policies aimed at reducing vertical integration – i.e. to unbundle networks from energy generation and supply – have a positive impact on innovation activity. Results are robust to the introduction of controls for country-level public R&D expenditures in the electricity field.     

An overview of power generation in New Zealand

Abstract

Two distinct risks cast a shadow over the sustainability of the existing energy mix. One is security of supply. The diversification of energy sources – both geographical and technological – could mitigate those risks. The second is environmental. Climate change in particular has raised questions about the sustainability of the current fossil fuel emission-intensive mix.

The government is currently investigating whether current R&D priorities and programmes are adequately focused and resourced to bring on-stream the energy technologies of the future. The future energy scenarios explored in the National Energy Strategy will help deliver a view of where some of the potentials and roadblocks currently lie in respect of new energy technologies. This in turn will guide the development of a roadmap of energy research priorities.

Equally important is gaining a better understanding about the actual distribution of research effort on the energy-related technologies and market deployment of different technologies.

While science, research and innovation in a global and highly competitive marketplace coupled with consumer preferences will be a decisive influence, timely access to new technologies and energy resources is of significant national interest.     

工业余热热泵及余热网络化利用的研究现状与发展趋势

当前工业能源消耗中所排放的低品位余热量大面广,若采用高效的余热利用技术将这部分余热回收,将具有显著的节能效果。工业余热热泵技术可以实现余热品位的提升或容量的扩大,一方面可以将回收的热量应用到工业流程中,另一方面可以在区域供热及供冷方面发挥作用。本文分析了压缩式热泵、吸收式热泵与化学热泵的特点与发展趋势。目前三种热泵技术都在工质、循环以及系统创新方面得到了较大的发展,但是在容量、能效比、温升与可靠性方面存在不可兼得的瓶颈问题。此外,工业余热根据种类以及温度品位的不同,适用场合与特点也各不相同。但目前在余热回收利用的设备与系统方面,缺乏针对不同余热特点的指导性设计准则。未来的研究需要集中在发展效率高、容量大、热适应性好、稳定可靠的热泵技术,形成各余热热泵互补利用的广谱化设计准则。同时需要通过对余热的热、电、冷、储、运的网络化利用进行余热系统高质化集成,实现工业余热的高效利用。     

Evaluation of microalgae-based biorefinery alternatives

Microalgae-based biorefineries for the production of renewable biofuels like biodiesel, upgraded bio-oil, biochar, biogas and other high-value chemicals have received great attention in recent decades as potential major sources of energy for the future. Microalgae are a suitable species to produce biodiesel and other high energy density by-products; however, it is questionable whether a net energy gain can be realized or not considering the whole processing chain. In the present study, the energy balances of different algae-based biofuel and bioenergy production technologies are investigated in detail and compared to each other corresponding to a cradle-to-grave overall energetic analysis. The study includes cultivation, harvesting, cell pretreatments (cell disruption, drying, grinding), lipid extraction, transesterification, gasification and hydrothermal liquefaction with bio-oil stabilization and hydroprocessing. The energy consumption and energy gain are estimated for each operational step to determine the net energy ratio (NER, energy output over energy input) for the overall technologies studied. Our detailed investigation enables to detect the most energy consuming unit operation, that is, the bottleneck point(s) of the microalgae-based technologies which should be still improved in the future for the sake of more efficient algae-based biorefineries. The investigation makes also possible to evaluate and compare the different large scale alternatives for biomass transformation. Positive energy balances with a NER value of 1.109 and 1.137 are found in two already existing processes: open raceway ponds and closed photobioreactors, respectively. Our work gives also a detailed algorithm that can be followed at the evaluation of other microalgae-based biorefineries.     

Magnetic materials and devices for the 21st century: stronger, lighter, and more energy efficient

A new energy paradigm, consisting of greater reliance on renewable energy sources and increased concern for energy efficiency in the total energy lifecycle, has accelerated research into energy-related technologies. Due to their ubiquity, magnetic materials play an important role in improving the efficiency and performance of devices in electric power generation, conditioning, conversion, transportation, and other energy-use sectors of the economy. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art hard and soft magnets and magnetocaloric materials, with an emphasis on their optimization for energy applications. Specifically, the impact of hard magnets on electric motor and transportation technologies, of soft magnetic materials on electricity generation and conversion technologies, and of magnetocaloric materials for refrigeration technologies, are discussed. The synthesis, characterization, and property evaluation of the materials, with an emphasis on structure-property relationships, are discussed in the context of their respective markets, as well as their potential impact on energy efficiency. Finally, considering future bottlenecks in raw materials, options for the recycling of rare-earth intermetallics for hard magnets will be discussed.     

Energy R&D: investment challenge

Despite dependence on foreign oil that keeps countries like the US embroiled in the Middle East, and amid fears of global warming, research and development (R&D) funding for energy technologies has declined significantly during the last two decades throughout the industrial world. Investments in energy technology R&D, and in associated human and institutional capacity, are fundamental to our ability to respond to changing economic, energy, and environmental needs.Although there has been a recent wave of interest in R&D policy in general, and energy R&D in particular, this has not been translated into the needed increases in funding. In most OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries, government energy technology R&D budgets have been declining significantly in real terms since the early 1980s. The trends are particularly troubling given the pressing need to develop and utilize the clean energy and low carbon fossil-fuel energy technologies that will be critical in meeting our future energy needs, while addressing the local and global environmental problems we are facing.     

Scientific linkage and technological innovation capabilities: international comparisons of patenting in the solar energy industry

From the perspective of science-based innovation, this study introduces measures of both scientific linkage (technology-science correlation index) and technological innovation capabilities (relative growth rate, relative patent position and revealed technological advantage) to compare and analyze the international competitiveness of solar energy technologies among the United States, the European Union, Japan, China and South Korea, based on the solar energy technologies-related patents in the European Patent Office Worldwide Patent Statistical Database. After making international comparisons of their technological development and innovation paradigm, we find that there are different innovation characteristics of various technology fields within the solar energy industry and then propose some relevant policy recommendations for latecomers to implement catch-up strategies. The results show that the leading countries and regions of the solar energy industry such as the United States and the European Union focus mainly on science-based innovation, while Japan and latecomers like China and South Korea pay more attention on technology-based innovation. In addition, those two fields within the solar energy industry present opposite innovation characteristics: solar photovoltaic technologies, especially thin film and organic cells, present strong technological innovation capabilities with high scientific linkage, while solar thermal technologies show strong technological innovation capabilities with low scientific linkage.     

膜材料技术在锅炉补给水处理中的应用

作为一门新兴的材料科学技术,膜分离技术具有高效、快速、低能耗的优点,在锅炉补给水中得到了广泛的应用。本文综述了膜分离的原理、相关膜材料和膜过程的特点以及膜技术在锅炉给水预处理、深度处理中的应用现状,展望了膜材料科学和技术在锅炉给水处理中的应用前景。     

Bioinspired 2D Nanomaterials for Sustainable Applications

The increasing demand for constructing ecological civilization and promoting socially sustainable development has encouraged scientists to develop bioinspired materials with required properties and functions. By bringing science and nature together, plenty of novel materials with extraordinary properties can be created by learning the best from natural species. In combination with the exceptional features of 2D nanomaterials, bioinspired 2D nanomaterials and technologies have delivered significant achievements. Here, the progress over the past decade in bioinspired 2D photonic structures, energy nanomaterials, and superwetting materials, is summarized, together with the challenges and opportunities in developing bioinspired materials for sustainable energy and environmental technologies.     

Sustainable energy and environmental impact: role of renewables as clean and secure source of energy for the 21st century in Jordan

In this article, present and future energy consumption, electricity demand, potential of renewable energy sources and national energy policy in Jordan are presented. The related environmental impacts are discussed from the sustainable development point of view, including the future role of renewable energy sources. Jordan is a net energy importing country, with almost 96% of its annual needs relying on imported crude oil and refined products from neighboring Arab countries. Due to increasing fossil fuel combustion to meet growing national energy demand, especially electricity generation, air pollution is becoming an important issue in urban areas. Profound cuts in current emission rates, including carbon dioxide, are possible at a bearable cost, and that the government must now invest in low carbon options because of the long lead in time of some technologies. A great deal more could be done to improve energy efficiency, and new and renewable energy schemes should be advocated on different levels. To achieve this, all obstacles including institutional barriers to investment in renewable technologies and national energy plan need to be addressed urgently. Thus, the government is invited to create a Sustainable Energy Unit, which will coordinate government cross-departmental thinking and provide adequate information to the public and to private investors.     

油气井特种爆破技术

油气井特种爆破技术是火炸药与油田特种作业紧密相关的技术 ,用它能有效地解决油田作业中存在的问题。本文首先简要介绍了油气井爆破的特点 ,然后结合实际产品研制和现场工作 ,论述了几种有代表性的油气井特种爆破技术 ,其中包括聚能射孔、聚能切割、爆炸整形、爆炸焊接以及高能气体压裂 ;同时分析了几种爆破器材的作用原理     

碳中和目标背景下包装行业发展的对策

目的 为了应对日益恶化的全球气候变化,并实现碳中和的目标,研究低碳化技术在包装行业的应用成为当下至关重要的任务。为了推动包装行业在碳中和背景下的低碳化转型,有必要对现有的低碳化技术进行分类和梳理。方法 从碳减排和碳移除两方面对包装行业已有的低碳化技术进行了研究。综述当前可降解生物塑料和聚合物单体化学循环技术在包装中的应用,介绍了几种清洁能源以及碳捕捉、碳利用和碳储存技术的发展现状。结论 对包装行业而言,实现碳中和的目标还面临着很多挑战。包装行业在推进碳中和目标时要选取与发展适合的低碳能源和碳中和技术。     

Fusion research programme in India

The fusion energy research program of India is summarized in the context of energy needs and scenario of tokamak advancements on domestic and international fronts. In particular, the various technologies that will lead us to ultimately build a fusion power reactor are identified along with the steps being taken for their indigenous development.     

提高B超图像质量的新途径

本文论述了一种提高B超图像质量的新途径。文中介绍了1/2间距波束扫描,电子多级聚焦,接收可变孔径控制等几种操作原理。在此基础上提出了高密集型用56阵元发射55阵元接收的探头新方案设想。